Everybody Huuurts Sometimes
Sad songs I Actually Love
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: I don’t like sad songs. Why? Simply put, I don’t like feeling sad. Music is what feelings sound like, right? I don’t want to feel sad if I don’t have to. I don’t sing sad songs at karaoke, because I believe that what you sing about, you bring about. And yes, sadness is a necessary and important emotion at times, and it should be properly expressed. I saw Inside Out, I get it. (Haven’t seen the sequel yet, but I’ve only heard good things about it.) That being said, there are some sad songs that are simply too good not to love, and those songs can be a great aid in helping to process painful emotions. So here’s my Spotify playlist of Sad Songs I Actually Love.
NOTES:
Fast Car, by Tracy Chapman: This song is wonderful. Everyone can relate to feeling beat up by Life, and not really knowing how to deal with hard and disappointing circumstances. This song is a sad one for that reason, but it is also full of hope, optimism, and making the best of things: “I know things’ll get better, you’ll find work and I’ll get promoted…” And in the end, also the wisdom and courage of finally being done with someone who just won’t: “Take your fast car and keep on drivin’.” I’m not a fan of country music in general (although there are a few country tracks on this list), but when Luke Combs covered this song and brought it back to the mainstream, it made me so happy because that introduced it to a whole new generation and demographic, and gained it some much-deserved recognition. Originally released in April 1988, it was nominated for numerous awards without winning any, but thanks to the cover by Combs, it won the Country Music Association Award for Song of the Year—thirty-five years later. I’m including a YouTube clip from the 2024 Grammy awards that you need to see if you haven’t. It has Luke Combs and Tracy Chapman performing this together as a duet, and it is a highly moving experience. You can clearly see on both their faces the gratitude they have for each other: Luke completely in awe that he is performing with a living legend, and Tracy, how she truly appreciates the newfound extra love for her song, and they both obviously love the song and performing it. I am moved to tears every time I see this. I love the way he keeps mouthing the lyrics while she’s singing. While we’re at it, shout out to Taylor Swift for the way she enthusiastically sings along and cheers them on.
Also interestingly enough, this song is a fairly popular choice for people at karaoke, and it’s pretty much 50/50 whether they do Tracy’s version or the Luke’s.
Black, by Pearl Jam: If you don’t love this song, I don’t know what’s wrong with you. One of the best lines ever: “I know some day you’ll have a beautiful life, I know you’ll be the sun in somebody else’s sky. Why…can’t it be mine?”
Someone You Loved, by Lewis Capaldi: I actually first heard this song as part of a medley by Bastille, which I’ll include below. I’m pretty sure it was released in the UK quite awhile before we got in the US (although don’t quote me on that). You can hear the raw emotion in Capaldi’s voice, and it’s beautiful. Anyway, here’s Dan singing it instead:
Something in the Orange, by Zach Bryan: One of the country songs on the list, I loved this one as soon as I heard someone sing it at karaoke. It’s powerful. Also I recommend checking out the hard rock cover done by Our Last Night.
Happier, by Ed Sheeran: Nothing hurts like seeing your ex happier with someone else than they were with you, especially knowing that happiness is ultimately what you truly want for them. Ouch. This is beautifully raw and bittersweet. And when I added this one to my playlist, it immediately reminded me of…
Happier, by Marshmello and Bastille: Why are the songs called Happier actually sad ones? Oh the irony. This is the happiest sad song I’ve ever heard. It’s infectious and fun and you can’t help but love it. Also the music video with Miranda Cosgrove is wonderful.
Comfortable, by John Mayer: This is one of my all-time favorite John Mayer songs, and it’s off his first album Inside Wants Out. It’s all about missing a former love despite being with someone new, because unlike the new person, you and your old lover could really, truly be yourselves together. “I loved you, gray sweatpants, no makeup, so perfect.”
Heat Waves, by Glass Animals: Another happy-sounding breakup song. This one put these guys on the map like they deserve. I can’t explain it, it’s just so gooood. This is one that had me from the beginning, I loved it immediately. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of it.
Say Something, by A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera: I always tell my daughter to take mixed signals as a “no,” cos nothing hurts like waiting for someone to get it when they just don’t. I recommend checking out the cover by Pentatonix, as well. Since they came out at about the same time and seemed to fit each other, I always associated Say Something with…
Let Her Go, by Passenger: I always felt like this song could be the aftermath of the previous one. The one partner finally gave up, and once they did, the second realized too late what they missed out on. Ouch. “Only know you love her when you let her go, and you let her go.”
Bad Liar, by Imagine Dragons: Frontman Dan Reynolds wrote this just before separating from his wife, about the painful realization that it was going to happen. Fortunately, the separation was exactly what they needed, and they ended up reconciling. So at least there’s a happy ending to this one.
Hear You Me, by Jimmy Eat World: Thanks to this song, their Bleed American record became one of my all-time favorite albums, which I absolutely must play on every single road trip I take. I mean everyone loves The Middle and Sweetness, but I never bought the cd until a year or so after it came out, when I heard this song in a movie and had to have it. It is an absolutely beautiful song. I saw these guys in concert in 2016 and let me tell you, once you see them live, you will want to own their entire discography.
One More Light, by Linkin Park: This one gets me every time. It’s obviously written about losing someone, but the first time I ever heard the song at all was when the band performed it on Jimmy Kimmel Live immediately following the death of Chris Cornell. I’ll include a clip of that performance. Cornell was a dear friend of the Linkin Park band members, and they had originally planned to open with their single Heavy, but instead started with One More Light and dedicated the performance to their late friend. Even though the song wasn’t originally written about Chris, it will forevermore be associated with him.
The Only Exception, by Paramore: It’s always sad when someone doesn’t believe in love. And it’s a beautiful thing when something (or someone) finally makes them change their mind. “Leave me with some kind of proof it’s not a dream…”
I’m Movin’ On, by Rascal Flatts: Sometimes a new start is necessary, like when you’re ready to move past some things, but other people just don’t want to let you. And movin’ on has to get literal. This song is beautiful. “Maybe forgiveness will find me somewhere down this road.”
Separate Ways (Worlds Apart), by Journey: I’ve never really been a Journey fan, cos I mean I definitely think they’re good, but nothing to obsess over. Of course, I did have a college roommate who played Faithfully on repeat for like a week once, so maybe that’s why I’m not crazy about them. Anyway, what made me fall in love with this one was a recent cover of it done by Daughtry, with Lzzy Hale of Halestorm. Blew me away. And that’s the first time I ever really listened to the lyrics. It’s gotta be hard to know you’ll always love someone but probably won’t ever get to be with them. I do recommend checking out Daughtry’s cover, it’s a banger.
It Must Have Been Love, by Roxette: I remember hearing this on the radio all the time as a kid, and even then I could recognize just how powerfully emotional a song it is. You can feel the pain in her voice even if you’ve never been in such a situation. That key change near then end? Just WOW. Even though I usually refuse to sing sad songs at karaoke, I’d make an exception for this one. If I got up the guts.
Everybody Hurts, by R.E.M.: It’s a rule, if you get your heart broken, you have to go sit in the car and play this song, singing along at the top of your lungs. I didn’t make the rule, but I support it. Do it, you’ll feel better.
Gone Away, by The Offspring: A much more sombre tune than their usual material, this one will definitely strike a chord if you’ve ever lost someone and felt lost without them. It captures both the sadness and desperation of such a loss, and their usual screaminess only adds to that. “I reach to the sky and call out your name, and if I could trade, I would.”
My Immortal, by Evanescence: There was definitely a time when this song was so inescapable that I almost didn’t like it anymore, but you heard it everywhere for a good reason. It’s a great song. While it was on the band’s Fallen album, it was also featured on the soundtrack for the movie Daredevil. Say what you will about the movie (I actually liked it), but the soundtrack was absolutely stellar. Now that I mention it, I think I’m going to listen to it while I continue writing.
Neon Moon, by Brooks & Dunn: To me, this is THE classic country heartbreak song. I loved this album as a kid, actually. And I’ve heard some really spectacular karaoke renditions of it that made me appreciate it even more.
Tequila, by Dan + Shay: As I’ve said, I’m not crazy about country music, even pop country like this, but I’d listen to Dan + Shay sing pretty much anything. This is a great song.
Screaming Infidelities, by Dashboard Confessional: This song was my introduction to Dashboard, as I had a few friends who were obsessed with them when they first came out. Didn’t take me long to understand why. Chris Carrabba’s lyrics are clever and catchy, and the emotion in his voice is palpable. You ever had an ex that broke up with you and then actively flaunted their singleness for any and all to see? Yeah, ouch.
I'm cuddling close to blankets and sheets
But you're not alone, you're not discreet
Make sure I know who's taking you home
Now Together, by Kristen Malcolm: Yep, my own song made the list. I’ve gotta shamelessly self-promote, ya know? I didn’t actually write it, it’s one my husband Ian wrote before we even met. Isn’t it weird, singing a breakup song my husband wrote about someone else? Perhaps. But it’s also sentimental to me because on our very first date, he got out his guitar played it for me. And I obviously think it’s a great song, or I wouldn’t have wanted to record it. I actually wrote up an entry here on the Producer when we released the song, you can read that here.
My Play, by AJR: I’m pretty sure I started bawling the first time I heard this song (and I just realized I probably need to add another of theirs to the list for the same reason). It’s sung from the point of view of a kid whose parents are divorcing, and he wants to bring them together, even if just briefly, so he can perform his play for them in the living room. Divorce isn’t easy on anyone, including the kids involved, even if it is actually the best outcome.
But when I show you my play
Will you pretend you didn't know if I make a mistake?
It's gonna get really, really, really, really bad before it's okay
But maybe you'll forget it all, while you're watchin' my play
Pinch Me, by Barenaked Ladies: This is one of the happiest songs about depression I’ve ever heard, and it pretty much hits the nail on the head. It’s actually one of my favorite songs in the world. The lyrics are so catchy and clever, and the way Ed sings them so fast (and makes it sound so effortless) is just so cool. The best line, of course: “I could hide out under there, I just made you say ‘underwear.’”
God is Really Real, by AJR: In case you missed it, their newest album The Maybe Man is, in my opinion, a masterpiece. I wrote my first and only album review ever about it, and you can read it here. I go more in depth about this song in that article, short story is the Met brothers wrote this song about their dad, who at the time was terminally ill. He was their absolute biggest fan. He passed away within a day or two of this song’s release. I had already heard of his passing the first time I listened to it, and I just started bawling. It’s such a beautiful tribute to him.
So that’s it for this playlist. Real talk, going through all these sad songs has put my emotions through it, but I’d say it’s a worthwhile reason. How about you, do you like sad songs? Which one of these is your favorite? What songs would you add to the list? Let me know in the comments!
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